He's home.
And it's hard to see her, but Courtney Lee is sandwiched in between us in that shot.
If you've got 4:41, play this song. Just turn it up loud, close your eyes, forget about everything else and take it in for a bit. If you don't have that much time, just fast forward it to 3:12...that's the part that gets me every time.
And since you're reading this Josh Downs...Welcome home.
Oh sigh....thank you for the update and that picture melts my heart. I'm so thankful he's home. I'm thankful for that first big mooshy family hug. Yeah....enjoy. God Bless you guys.
Posted by: Sara | February 29, 2012 at 08:12 AM
Welcome home Josh Downs!
Posted by: ♥ Debbie | February 29, 2012 at 08:17 AM
I'm from Panama, Central America, every day I read your blog and love it! Today I cried, I cried for your happiness .... still enjoying your happiness, your love, your family, congratulations
Posted by: dtrujillo | February 29, 2012 at 08:28 AM
That photo takes my breath away. Hug for days....don't let go.
Thank you, all of you, for such sacrifice. You are all heroes.
Welcome Home, Josh Downs!!!!
Posted by: Jen S | February 29, 2012 at 08:30 AM
Welcome home, Josh Downs! Tears of happiness for all of you are streaming down my face... Enjoy each other. :-)
Posted by: Edith | February 29, 2012 at 08:31 AM
Welcome home Josh Downs! Tears of joy in Kansas for your family. . . . .
Posted by: Sharla | February 29, 2012 at 08:33 AM
No profound words, just really happy for you all. And really happy to see this shot!!!
Sincerely,
Sonja
Posted by: Sonja | February 29, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Welcome home! Best picture that I'll see all day :)
Posted by: Audrey | February 29, 2012 at 08:34 AM
I seriously just got chills reading this. I'm so thrilled for you and your family. Have a fabulous week :)
Posted by: Amanda @ Click. The Good News | February 29, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Welcome home, and Thank you! this post is the reason I turned on my computer this morning.
Posted by: Christina | February 29, 2012 at 08:36 AM
Oh hooray! What a wonderful homecoming!!
Posted by: JayEssJay | February 29, 2012 at 08:44 AM
God bless your family. :)
Posted by: kristina p | February 29, 2012 at 08:44 AM
Wecome home, Mr Downs!
Enjoy, Mrs Downs :DDDDD
hugs
Posted by: Helena | February 29, 2012 at 08:45 AM
Words can't express how very, very, very happy I am for you and your family. God Bless you Karen, God Bless your children and God Bless you Josh Downs for serving and protecting all of us. I am so very proud of all of you. Welcome Home!
Posted by: Libbi M. | February 29, 2012 at 08:47 AM
God is so faithful. And I am so thankful.
Welcome home!
Posted by: Ada | February 29, 2012 at 08:48 AM
WElcome Home and God Bless!!1
Posted by: borcherding | February 29, 2012 at 08:48 AM
Beautiful!!!
Welcome home, Josh Downs!
Posted by: Juli P | February 29, 2012 at 08:51 AM
So happy he's home - not nearly as happy as you all, but happy nonetheless!
Welcome home, Josh Downs, and thank you!
Posted by: Krys72599 | February 29, 2012 at 08:51 AM
wonderful!!!!! :) thank you for posting this...you all have been in my prayers! :)
Posted by: Kathy C. | February 29, 2012 at 08:53 AM
I have literally checked your blog 10x a day since you posted that Josh Downs was coming home, just waiting for a reunion picture. I was not disappointed when this popped up. Goosebumps, tears, and so much happiness!!!!
Posted by: whitneybens@yahoo.com | February 29, 2012 at 08:54 AM
Thank you, God for bringing this family back together! Welcome home, Josh Downs!
Posted by: Cathy K | February 29, 2012 at 08:54 AM
yayayay!!!! welcome home josh! thank you for serving our country! God hears the prayers of His children and is faithful!
Posted by: mandy friend | February 29, 2012 at 08:54 AM
HOORAY!!!!
Posted by: AnnieM | February 29, 2012 at 08:55 AM
Yahoo!!!! I am so happy that Josh is home safe and sound.
Posted by: Cindy | February 29, 2012 at 08:56 AM
Welcome home Josh! Got a little teary eyed seeing this! Have been thinking of you guys for days!!!! So HAPPY that your family is all together now! :)
Posted by: Tammy | February 29, 2012 at 08:58 AM
I was sooooo hoping for this update!! So unbelievably happy!!
Posted by: KristenOlson | February 29, 2012 at 09:00 AM
I'm so happy for you all! I don't really know you but I've been thinking of you and your sweet family!
Posted by: McKell S. | February 29, 2012 at 09:07 AM
Your picture "got me". Welcome home Josh Downs...."we've" missed you.
Posted by: Tere | February 29, 2012 at 09:14 AM
I have been checking and checking...I even googled to see if I could find something on your local news. OH HAPPY DAY!!! Now go and enjoy!!! Big welcome home hugs to each one of you.
Who took the photo? Just ADORE it.
Posted by: janel | February 29, 2012 at 09:15 AM
Love this. Welcome home Josh Downs.
Posted by: Kim P | February 29, 2012 at 09:16 AM
I too have been thinking and praying for your family the last few days. Checking. Praying. Waiting. I am so happy that you are home with your family Josh Downs. Karen you did a fabulous job being a single mama. Thank you for your family sacrafice for our nation.
maureen
Posted by: Maureen | February 29, 2012 at 09:21 AM
WELCOME HOME! I love that in the picture you see Josh breathing you in. And also that Cole got a haircut - he was wanting to look good for his dad.
Karen, Thank you for this post. I am so happy that you let us know that he is for real at home.
Posted by: Aimee B. in Oregon | February 29, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Oh Karen, so happy that you are all together again!
Posted by: Heather Moll | February 29, 2012 at 09:26 AM
I am so delighted to see this photo this morning! Welcome Home, Josh Downs! Tears of joy!
Posted by: Melinda Anderson | February 29, 2012 at 09:32 AM
The internet friendship is so weird. I saw this long awaited photo and started crying. So glad you family is back together again.
And, thank you, Josh Downs and your family for what you have done.
Posted by: Maxly | February 29, 2012 at 09:37 AM
I did it all...closed my eyes...turned it up loud...listened to the whole thing...bawled like a baby! So happy to see Josh Downs home where he belongs!
Posted by: Lisa | February 29, 2012 at 09:37 AM
Wow, that picture makes me tear up!! So happy for your family!!
Posted by: Jodi | February 29, 2012 at 09:37 AM
I'll have to come back when I know I won't ruin my makeup!! Holding back tears now!!
SOOOOOOO happy for you guys!!! Thank you Josh for serving our country.
Praise God!
Posted by: kristi | February 29, 2012 at 09:41 AM
im crying like a baby !! i have waited for this picture for you for the last seven months and am so happy for you and your family. thank you for sharing your life with us and you are such an inspiration in so many ways you will never ever know...and to your loverpie thank you for serving this country ...
Posted by: n.prather | February 29, 2012 at 09:42 AM
Perfect!
Posted by: Kathy C. | February 29, 2012 at 09:42 AM
I've been waiting for this post! So happy for your family. Welcome home, Josh Downs. Thank you for your service.
Posted by: Nikol | February 29, 2012 at 09:46 AM
So grateful for his safe return.
Posted by: Abby | February 29, 2012 at 09:47 AM
Thank you Josh, for leaving everything to go serve our country.
Thank you Karen, Ross, Coley, Courtney, and Annie for living life without him for all these months. You sacrificed a lot.
I will try to be the best citizen I can be because of what you have done.
Posted by: Nancy Boothe | February 29, 2012 at 09:53 AM
OH GEEZ I cried over that photo. So happy he is home! Welcome home Josh!!! ;)
Posted by: Leslie | February 29, 2012 at 09:55 AM
Welcome Home! God bless you Josh Downs! Relax, enjoy your family, your home and your country. You deserve a good rest. Prayers were answered.
Posted by: Deb | February 29, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Wooohooo!!!
Posted by: teresa b | February 29, 2012 at 10:03 AM
*Exhale* Let it out; your family is finally together. Welcome home, Josh Downs. So glad you made it back safely. God bless your whole family.
Posted by: Sandra A | February 29, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Welcome home Josh Downs.... enjoy resting in the embrace of your family - and they in yours.
Posted by: Danielle | February 29, 2012 at 10:09 AM
A huge thank you to Josh Downs for his service to our country and to you and the entire family for your sacrifice in living without him while he was gone. So happy to see your joyeous homecoming shot. Please take time and enjoy some much deserved family time.
Posted by: Charlene | February 29, 2012 at 10:10 AM
so happy for you all! welcome home josh!
Posted by: amy | February 29, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Praise God!!! So, so, so happy for you!!!
Posted by: Denise~Paper Ponderings | February 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM
wow. i am so happy for you and your family. i look forward to "your life" weekly, all the way here from South Africa!! enjoy each other!!
Posted by: cariena basson | February 29, 2012 at 10:22 AM
so glad he's home safe!
Posted by: elizabeth @ chronic venture | February 29, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Tears of relief. So happy your family is back together. Also glad you were able to document his homecoming. What a wonderful photo! (Our little group wasn't going to let you miss this moment, thanks to Marilou!)
Posted by: Cristina | February 29, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Welcome Home and Thank you. Tears from Texas.
Posted by: carol stoler | February 29, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Such a precious moment for your family. And thank you Josh Downs for serving our country and keeping us safe :}
Posted by: Linda Lynch | February 29, 2012 at 10:31 AM
thank you so much for posting the photo Karen......so happy for all of you!
Posted by: laura j | February 29, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Welcome home Josh!!! I am sitting in my office with tears running down my face. I am SO happy you are all together again and am SO thankful for Josh and all the others who serve our country. God bless you all!!
Posted by: Michelle | February 29, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Beautiful Picture!!!! Welcome home!!!!!!
Posted by: Nicole Campbell | February 29, 2012 at 10:43 AM
I cannot tell you how happy I am for you and your family. I have been praying for his safe keeping and am so relieved and glad that he is safely home. Enjoy your time together.
Posted by: Theresa Grdina | February 29, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Wow! That picture says a MILLION words and emotions! Welcome home Josh Downs! Thank you for your service! So happy for your family! ENJOY!!!
Posted by: Shannon Laux | February 29, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Answered Prayer!!! Awesome picture and so Happy he is home safe and sound!!!
Posted by: Kabrina | February 29, 2012 at 10:51 AM
What a wonderful picture...welcome home Josh, welcome home!! And thank you for serving our beautiful country. God Bless you and God Bless America!! Great song, can't wait for my hubby to be home...so happy for all of you!!!!!
Posted by: Tracy | February 29, 2012 at 10:52 AM
that has got to be THE.BEST.PICTURE EVER!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! So happy for you guys!!!!!!!
Posted by: Desiree Chandler | February 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Saying a fervent prayer of thanksgiving for you all. As happy as I am for you all, I can't even imagine the joy you must be feeling.
Posted by: Cyndi | February 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Thank God!!! I am crying with joy for a family that I will never meet, but crying non the less. You have been blessed.
Posted by: Gabriela | February 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM
It doesn't get any better than this. Welcome home, Josh Downs!!
Posted by: Julie | February 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM
soooo happy for you. enjoy
Posted by: Irina | February 29, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Best blog post ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lori Craig | February 29, 2012 at 11:16 AM
This is the best picture on your blog!! Welcome home Josh!
Posted by: Debbie Donovan | February 29, 2012 at 11:17 AM
I know you must have been crying your eyes out! I have tears just from seeing the picture. I'm so happy for you and your family:) <3
Posted by: Patty Hetrick | February 29, 2012 at 11:19 AM
RIGHT ON! Welcome Home Josh Downs and THANK YOU from my family to the Downs Family!!! Enjoy soaking your husband and Daddy in!
Posted by: Suezi Gurzi | February 29, 2012 at 11:19 AM
The picture is breathtaking. It holds so much emotion and relief. I am so glad Josh is home safe and your family is once again whole!!! Thank you for all you do for this country Josh and thank you Karen for having to hold it together why he was away!!! So happy for all of you!!!!
Posted by: Carolyn Hall | February 29, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Welcome home, Josh Downs! Thank you for your service. Thank you to the whole family for your sacrifice. SO happy he made it home safe. (and now to pretend I'm not getting all teary at work...)
Posted by: Teri | February 29, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Tears of JOY and RELIEF!
Posted by: Kelli | February 29, 2012 at 11:27 AM
amen! gracias a dios!!!
Posted by: jeni4tx | February 29, 2012 at 11:34 AM
God is good - all the time! Soooo thankful that He brought Josh Downs home to you and your family! I've been checking your blog several times each day in the hopes of "hearing" something or seeing a picture. Glad you got someone to take a picture of all of you. Welcome home Josh Downs!!! Enjoy your family time.
Posted by: Debbie G | February 29, 2012 at 11:36 AM
So, so happy for all of you. Welcome home Josh Downs (and thank you)!
Posted by: DawnS | February 29, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Silent admirer of yours here, and I've been anticipating this post as much as I would the post about a new baby. Job well done Josh, Karen, and kids!
Posted by: Johanna | February 29, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Yay!!! I am SO happy for all of you! The picture made me cry. Everybody looks SO happy!!!
Posted by: Jeane | February 29, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Wow... what a homecoming! Welcome back to the USA Josh Downs and THANKS for your service!
Posted by: Robin | February 29, 2012 at 11:49 AM
I'm so happy for y'all!
Posted by: Sally Davidson | February 29, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Thank God he is home safe & home with all of you. Thank you Josh Downs for your service. Enjoy your time. If your road trip happens to include the Bay Area, please drop me an email... I'd love to hook you up with fresh crabs for dinner :)
Posted by: Moriah Bettencourt | February 29, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Welcome home Josh downs! Thank you for all you have done for our country!
Posted by: Kristen | February 29, 2012 at 12:10 PM
God Bless your family & thank you Josh Downs for your service!
Posted by: tluu | February 29, 2012 at 12:13 PM
So wonderful!
Posted by: Nichole | February 29, 2012 at 12:13 PM
yeah.
Posted by: karen eyink | February 29, 2012 at 12:30 PM
What a beautiful site!!!!!! Welcome home Josh and thank you all again for your service and sacrafice to protect us on the homefront. From a grateful American,
Kate
Posted by: Kate Bogucki | February 29, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Whew....have been waiting for that post! Welcome home Josh! Have been praying and waiting for your safe return and for you to be reunited with your adorable family. Hugs (and tears) from Texas.
Posted by: Melissa | February 29, 2012 at 12:35 PM
The picture is worth a thousand words! brought tears to my eyes... SO thrilled for you all! Welcome home!
Posted by: Alice Golden | February 29, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Yippee!!! How beautiful! Welcome home Josh Downs :)
Posted by: Aurora | February 29, 2012 at 12:58 PM
I've been obsessively checking your blog waiting for this post. There are some misty eyes in Alaska today for you. So happy for your family! Welcome home Josh Downs and from the bottom of my heart thank you for your service.
Posted by: Alison Brehmer | February 29, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Welcome home ... God bless
Posted by: young nanny | February 29, 2012 at 01:05 PM
Welcome Home Josh Downs!! :) Welcome. HOME!
Posted by: Lindsay | February 29, 2012 at 01:12 PM
Boy, you sure know how to make us cry. Welcome home! The music put it over the top. A sincere thanks for serving and for your family allowing us to share.
Posted by: Cathy Marianne | February 29, 2012 at 01:19 PM
Welcome home, Josh Downs. I thank you for your service to our country.
Posted by: Marilyn Wallace | February 29, 2012 at 01:19 PM
Welcome home Josh Downs!!! So happy for all of you!
Posted by: Kenna | February 29, 2012 at 01:32 PM
this is the best news. that pictures says a million things. enjoy your time together!
Posted by: Heather | February 29, 2012 at 01:32 PM
I just spent the last week reading your blog from the very beginning Karen. You have such a beautiful family and life and I am so overjoyed for you that Josh is home safe and in your arms. This is by far the best photo on your blog...I just keep looking at it with tears in my eyes. Wishing you a restful road trip filled with wonderful memories.
Posted by: Teresa | February 29, 2012 at 01:34 PM
I don't even know you and yet this makes me so happy - can't even imagine how you feel :)
Posted by: Amy | February 29, 2012 at 01:35 PM